Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Senate run is facing an icy reception from lawmakers in her own party, who appear to be distancing themselves from her entry into the race.
More than a dozen Senate Democrats declined to comment or issue public support for Crockett’s Senate bid in brief interviews with the Daily Caller News Foundation on Tuesday. Democrats’ chilly reactions come as the party mounts a long-shot effort to retake control of the upper chamber in the midterm elections, with the Lone Star State being a top — though elusive — target to flip.
“I don’t have any sort of thoughts on it,” Sen. Chris Murphy, a left-wing Democrat backing anti-establishment candidates in key Democratic primaries, told the DCNF regarding Crockett’s campaign. “We think the map is getting bigger, not smaller. That’s going to mean there are more candidates interested in running.”
Murphy notably headlined a “Won’t Back Down: F*** Around And Flip The House” rally with Crockett in August. He praised the anti-Trump firebrand’s “big, strong national voice” when speaking to reporters Monday.
“I gotta make sure that I never, ever, ever again agree to follow Jasmine Crockett onstage,” Murphy told the Phoenix crowd, according to The Washington Post.
A spokesperson for Crockett did not immediately reply to the DCNF’s request for comment.
Murphy’s cool response to Crockett’s Senate run could be indicative of Democrats’ concern that progressive firebrand will struggle to win a general election in red-leaning Texas.
The rabble-rousing congresswoman has attacked Trump supporters as “mentally ill,” suggested Republicans are “inherently” violent and mocked Texas Republican Governor Gregg Abbot for using a wheelchair over the past year. Crockett also disputed Monday that she would need to win over some Trump supporters to unseat Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who is facing a competitive three-way primary.
Murphy is among a group of progressive Democrats challenging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s midterms strategy. The self-described “Fight Club,” first reported by The New York Times, has begun publicly endorsing progressive candidates over establishment favorites in critical primaries, including Maine, Minnesota and Michigan.
It is unclear whether the group will weigh in ahead of the Lonestar State’s March 3 primary, but Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a “Fight Club” member, hinted that he would meet with Crockett and her primary opponent, Texas state legislator James Talarico prior to election day.
“We’ve got great candidates,” Van Hollen told the Daily Caller News Foundation on Tuesday. “Both of them will mobilize a lot of support.”
“Fight club” members, Democratic Sens. Tina Smith of Minnesota and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, declined to discuss Crockett’s candidacy.
“We’ll see,” Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders replied when asked if Crockett’s Senate run would help Democrats retake the majority. The “Fight Club” member declined to discuss the topic further.
A spokesperson for Schumer said the lead Democrat would stay out of the Texas primary following Crockett’s entry into the race.
Other Democrats also declined to issue support for Crockett’s Senate bid on Tuesday.
“I just don’t know Texas that well,” Democratic Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin told the DCNF in a brief interview.
“Let’s see what happens when she gets on the trail,” Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Senate Democrat, said.
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has been the lone Democrat to argue that Crockett’s entry into the race is a “gift” to Republicans.
“That was a super happy day for the Texas GOP,” Fetterman observed of Crockett’s campaign announcement.
Crockett notably issued a preemptive attack on her critics during her raucous campaign launch event on Monday.
“I just want to be clear for all the haters in the back. Listen up real loud. We gonna get this thing done,” Crockett said.
Caden Olson and Andi Shae Napier contributed to this report.
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